SOUTH BEND – I promise you Wildcat fans, “LOSS,” is a word in the Dictionary, the English Dictionary. It may have seem foreign for the first 17 games of this season, but now it’s all too real. The (17-1) Wildcats fell to the (16-6) LaPorte Slicers 95-85 in overtime on Tuesday at Algie Oldham.

Riley led by one after a quarter and by three at halftime despite shooting just 32% from the floor in the first half. A 23 point third quarter outburst for the Slicers gave them a two point advantage heading into the fourth. The lead would hang up until a three-pointer by Senior Guard Nate Marino in the waning seconds would tie the game and send it to overtime tied at 74.

Riley did score the first basket in overtime, but 21 points from LaPorte in just four minutes of play helped the Slicers end the Wildcats 17 game winning streak.

Similar to last season’s regional loss against Warsaw, foul trouble and opponent free-throw shooting spelled the end for Riley. Senior Guard Junior Scott picked up his fourth foul with 2:01 remaining in the third, Shamar Dillard fouled out in regulation, and Senior Center Roland Austin picked up two of Riley’s three overtime technicals in less than 30 seconds. Slicer Senior Guard Owen Strieter went 19-23 from the free throw line en route to a team high 35 points.

Coming into the season, Riley had two aspirations, win the NIC, and win the State Championship. They can win the Northern Indiana Conference outright with a win over Adams on Friday, a loss would give the Eagles a share of the title. Their loss to LaPorte hindered that ability to accomplish either of those feats. While it may never help to lose, better now than in three weeks.

Next up for the Wildcats, @ Adams on Friday. The Athletic Offices at both schools are pre-selling tickets during the school day Thursday and Friday.